Proposal Information for 2009B-0038

Abstract: Using mid-infrared images obtained with the \it Spitzer Space Telescope, I have identified several possible protostellar brown dwarfs in the Taurus star-forming region. I propose to obtain optical and near- infrared spectra of these candidates to determine whether they are proto- brown dwarfs rather than more massive protostars or background objects (e.g., red galaxies). Any confirmed brown dwarfs will comprise important targets for more detailed followup studies of the earliest phases of brown dwarf formation (e.g., high-resolution imaging of their infalling envelopes). These results will also help test the embryo- ejection model for the formation of brown dwarfs, which predicts that brown dwarfs should have small disks and should not exist as isolated protostellar objects.